Once Upon A Chef

I used to be a chef, complete with a tall hat, white coat, and checked pants! I stepped away from the restaurant scene in 2003 when my first child arrived. Now, I focus on cooking for my family and sharing all my tried-and-true recipes with you. The dishes on this site are inspired by my life as a mom who seeks simple meals that everyone will love, while still satisfying my inner chef!

Local

English

Blog

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#12123

United States

#3079

Food and Drink/Cooking and Recipes

#34

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

Classic French Profiteroles

1 week ago | onceuponachef.com | Jennifer Segal

Make the Choux PastryPreheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium saucepan, combine the water, milk, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter is fully melted. Reduce the heat to low, add the flour all at once, and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 1 minute.
No-Bake Cheesecake

1 week ago | onceuponachef.com | Jennifer Segal

For the CrustIn a medium bowl, combine the Biscoff crumbs, butter, and sugar. Using your fingers and the bottom of a dry measuring cup, press the crust into a 9-inch springform pan, aiming for an even ¼-inch thickness all around and extending 1½ to 2 inches up the sides. Place the crust in the freezer to set while you prepare the filling.
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

2 weeks ago | onceuponachef.com | Jennifer Segal

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy. This vibrant roasted red pepper hummus is easy to make, full of flavor, and so much better than anything from a tub—you’ll never go back to the store-bought stuff. This roasted red pepper hummus is one of those dips that feels a little special but couldn’t be easier to make.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie

2 weeks ago | onceuponachef.com | Jennifer Segal

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy. This strawberry banana smoothie is thick, creamy, and naturally sweet—perfect for healthy breakfast or a quick afternoon pick-me-up. This strawberry banana smoothie is a go-to in my kitchen—just a few simple ingredients and ready in minutes. I use fresh bananas and frozen strawberries.
Chocolate Pastry Cream

2 weeks ago | onceuponachef.com | Jennifer Segal

In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until steaming (do not boil). In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, salt, and egg yolks until smooth and pale. Slowly pour about ½ cup of the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs. Pour the tempered mixture into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Vanilla Pastry Cream

2 weeks ago | onceuponachef.com | Jennifer Segal

Home Recipes Dessert Ice Cream, Pudding & Custards This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy. A staple in French pastry, this vanilla pastry cream is luxuriously thick and smooth, perfect for filling everything from cream puffs and éclairs to fruit tarts and trifles.
Cream Puffs Recipe – A Classic French Treat

2 weeks ago | onceuponachef.com | Jennifer Segal

For the Pastry CreamIn a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until steaming (do not boil). Stir in the vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, salt, and egg yolks until smooth and pale. Slowly pour about ½ cup of the warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
Best Charoset Recipe for Passover – Apples, Nuts & Sweet Wine

3 weeks ago | onceuponachef.com | Jennifer Segal

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy. This charoset recipe is sweet, crunchy, and steeped in tradition—one of those Passover dishes families look forward to all year, and once you taste it, you’ll understand why. Charoset is a sweet, symbolic Passover dish that represents the mortar used by the Israelites during their enslavement in Egypt.
Hearty Minestrone Soup - A Flavorful Italian Classic

1 month ago | onceuponachef.com | Jennifer Segal

In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, heat the butter and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant; do not brown. Pour in the chicken stock, then add the tomatoes, tomato paste, cannellini beans, potatoes, salt, sugar, thyme, oregano, and pepper.
Perfect Pumpkin Pie

Jan 6, 2024 | onceuponachef.com | Joe Davis

For this foolproof recipe, I use my favorite homemade pie crust, which tastes buttery, holds its shape, and is easy to work with. And to prevent the crust from becoming soggy, I blind bake it until it’s completely dry before adding the filling. To prevent those unsightly fissures in the filling, I modify the traditional recipe by adding a little flour, replacing some of the whole eggs with egg yolks, and baking the pie at a low temperature.